Psalm 121:1-5

Psalm 121:1

Psalm 121:2

2 Samuel 22:2,3

Psalm 121:4

Psalm 121:5a

Matthew 5:9-12

Godly ways to handle persecution

Matthew 5:9

Psalm 34:14

Matthew 5:9b

Matthew 5:10: (New Living Translation) “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

2 Timothy 3:12

Matthew 5:11,12

Persecution can be good in the following ways:

(1) It takes our eyes off earthly rewards

(2) It strips away superficial belief

(3) It strengthens the faith of those who endure it

(4) Our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow

If the devil is not trying to get you, he's already got you!

Matthew 5:6-8

The hungry and thirsty. The merciful. The holy.

Matthew 5:6

Matthew 5:7

Matthew 5:8

Psalm 51:10

Matthew 5:8b

3 Beatitudes covered today: hunger and thirst for righteousness, being merciful, being pure in heart

-Which of these Beatitudes are you strongest in?

-Which of these Beatitudes are you weakest in?

-Is there room for improvement on all 3 of these Beatitudes in your life?

Matthew 5:1-5

“Blessed” means more than happiness

Matthew 5:3

Luke 5:4

Luke 5:8b

Romans 7:15

There is nothing we can do to make ourselves spiritually acceptable to God

Luke 5:5: "God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them." (New Living Translation)

Quick Review:

-We must embrace our helpless condition before Jesus

-We mourn and feel guilty of what we've done and turn to Jesus and ask Him in our lives and ask for forgiveness for where we've failed Him

-We can then start living for Him, and being meek/gentle/humble to the needs and desires of others.

John 1:43-51

We have the same invitation from Jesus as the first disciples

3 Rules to become a licensed disciple of Jesus:

1. Follow

John 1:43

John 1:45

John 1:46a

John 14:6

2. Come

John 1:46:b: “Come and see.”

3. See

John 1:49

John 1:50b

John 1:35-42

John 1:29

John 1:38, 39a

Andrew did something with his strong case of the "can't help its." Are you?

It's time to reclaim the "can't help its" if we've lost them!

"If God is leading you to it, He will lead you through it."

Will you embrace the challenges of the one and one?

Matthew 2:13-23

Divine guidance comes only to prepared hearts

The reason why God led Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt

Hosea 11:1

Only natural to ask why, just be willing to embrace His timing

Timing is everything!

Embrace the timing of our Lord

Matthew 2:1-12

Wise men lived up to their names

Matthew 2:12

Can we decipher the right voice to listen to?

Do you know the Lord's voice when He speaks to you?

Two questions to decide if you are making the right choice:

Of the two choices you have in your mind, which one follows biblical guidelines?

Which of the two choices glorifies God more than you?

Don't wait until you're in a dilemma, prepare daily!

John 10:4b,5

2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

2 Timothy 3:16

Can’t share what you don’t have

2 Timothy 4:2

Preparation requires time and effort

Each of us make time for our priorities

SOAP model: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

If the Lord is a priority, He is worth the effort and time to prepare for whatever is in store!

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Psalm 80:3,7,19 begin with “Restore”

How can we obtain restoration? 1st and foremost, one must come to repentance.

Psalm 80:6

Psalm 80:3,7,19: "Make your face shine so that we can be saved!"

Matthew 1:23